Marlies fall to Phantoms in rare home matinee

Tuesday night home games aren’t something that the Toronto Marlies do particularly often, but there are always exceptions to every rule. The team is probably hoping that the final score matches up with that phrase as well, as the younger generation of the Blue and White fell 4-1 to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Toronto fell behind early in this one, giving up the first goal midway through the first period while Colin Smith sat in the box for a hook. Chris Connor picked up a rebound while Antoine Bibeau sprawled to clear the damage, and eventually put it in to open the scoring.

Andreas Johnsson appeared to give the Marlies life seven and a half minutes into a close second period. However, 21-year-old Danick Martel put the Phantoms back up early into the third period, and goals from Jordan Weal and Colin McDonald gave the Philadelphia Flyers’ affiliate some insurance.

Toronto was outshot 32-26 on the night, with Antoine Bibeau making 28 of 31 possible saves. The loss brings the Marlies down to a 10-6-1-1 record, a points percentage of 0.611 and a goal differential of +7. The Marlies will look to rebound when they take on the Rochester Americans on Friday.